Ditto. I'm currently translating a book on Nanking -- it's one of a series, so to speak, that have really changed my perspective on the whole affair. For that reason, I always dread the subject coming up because a lot of details from the work I'm doing are fresh in my mind, but I don't want to start flame wars or arguments.

Like many WWII events, the Nanjing Massacre is a sensitive and controversial topic among many people in both Japan and other Asian countries. And threads on such sensitive and controversial topics often get very heated, and spoil the atmosphere of the forum. We have the 'no politics or religion' rule on here for a reason and I think that extends to other controversial topics too. However, there are many other forums where I think your question will be better received.

Although it was, as it was said to be, terrible, the imperial army of Japan is to be blamed at that time. So I think, that makes sense we can't blame the rest of the Japanese civilization, at that time. And if I remember it clear, I did hear in some documentary, someone explained the common Japanese were as slaves to the Imperial Japanese empire. In any way, atleast forced to support the imperial power.

Similar to Nazi Germany, the military might of Hitler killed the Jews, and we can't put the blame of all of the German people.